PRUDHOE Town Council has agreed its budget for this year, with a rise in the precept of just over two per cent.

At last week’s meeting, the budget for 2018-19 was approved by councillors.

The budget will require a precept of £310,778, an increase of 2.04 per cent from last year.

Environmental services were allocated a total of £80,915, which includes £8,300 to be spent on bus shelters. That includes a £3,000 contribution towards new shelters at Eltringham and Mickley, as well as money put aside for cleaning and repairs. Other expenditure includes seats, litter bins and grass cutting.

Recreation and leisure services were allocated a total of £36,065, while cemeteries were given a total of £14,500.

And £112,080 was put aside for management and support.

Councillors agreed a total of £30,620 in grant aid to local community groups and charities.

The youth provision in Prudhoe was given a separate heading under grants and subsidies and allocated £25,000.

Spending on ‘other services’ totals £27,260 and includes a contingency fund, town council development and the town’s remembrance display.